The fuzzy relationship of intelligence and problem solving in computer simulations

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Authors

Using the instructional computer simulation "Hunger in the Sahel", two experiments were conducted concerning the moderating effect of domain knowledge on the correlation of intelligence and problem solving. Experiment 1 with N = 200 students implemented a between-subjects design, Experiment 2 with N = 28 young adults a within-subjects design with 10 repeated measures on problem solving. The results correspond to the Elshout-Raaheim hypothesis: With low domain knowledge, the correlation is low; with increasing knowledge, the correlation increases; with further increasing knowledge, the correlation decreases; finally, when the problem has become a simple task, the correlation is again low. The results are of practical and theoretical relevance for designing simulation-based learning environments and simulation-based tests for measuring intelligence and problem-solving ability.

Original languageEnglish
JournalComputers in Human Behavior
Volume18
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)685-697
Number of pages13
ISSN0747-5632
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.11.2002
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Computer simulation, Problem solving, Test intelligence
  • Psychology